(a) The Legislature finds and declares that clean and reliable energy is essential to the health of the California economy and of vital importance to the health and welfare of the citizens of the state and to the environment.
(b) The Legislature further finds and declares that government has an essential role to ensure that a reliable supply of energy is provided consistent with protection of public health and safety, promotion of the general welfare, maintenance of a sound economy, conservation of resources, and preservation of environmental quality.
(c) The Legislature further finds and declares that the state government requires at all times a complete and thorough understanding of the operation of energy markets, including electricity, natural gas, petroleum, and alternative energy sources, to enable it to respond to possible shortages, price shocks, oversupplies, or other disruptions.
(d) The Legislature further finds and declares that timely reporting, assessment, forecasting, and data collection activities are essential to serve the information and policy development needs of the Governor, the Legislature, public agencies, market participants, and the public.
(e) The Legislature further finds and declares that one of the objectives of this act is to encourage cooperation among the various state agencies with energy responsibilities.